JPH04371197A - Dry cleaning machine filter purifying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance regeneration effect of a filter and to simplify operation by automatically control in sequence respective operation for operating to discharge a solvent in a filter device into an auxiliary tank, for operating a pressurizing means, and for operating to deliver a solvent in the auxiliary tank and in a tank to the filter device. CONSTITUTION:Valves 8, 27 are opened to transfer a solvent in a filter device 9 into an auxiliary tank 28. Next, valves 10, 64 are opened to drive a pressurizing means 63 to feed pressurized air to a filter in the direction reverse to a flow of the solvent so as to peel off and precipitate stuck soil at a bottom inside the auxiliary tank 28. Then, a valve 29 is opened while valves 27, 64 are closed to drive a solvent pump 7 to return a stored solvent into the filter device 9 again. Since a lead-out port is positioned higher than the bottom part, precipitated soil is not sucked up. Last, the valve 29 is closed while valves 5, 15 are opened to pass the solvent in the tank 1 to the filter device 9. Respective operation is automatically conducted in sequence by a control means.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for cleaning filters used in dry cleaners that are cleaned with a solvent such as petroleum.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example, as shown in FIG. 7, high pressure is applied to a filter device 104 disposed in a liquid supply path 103 between a solvent tank 101 and a washing tub 102 from a direction opposite to the direction of solvent flow. A dry cleaner equipped with a supply device 105 for supplying air is shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-42394 (D06F43/08).

The filter device 104 is installed in the storage case 1.
06 and the discharge pipe 1 provided inside this storage case 106.
07, and a filter element 1 replaceably disposed around the discharge pipe 107 and made of filter paper 108 and activated carbon 109.
It consists of 10.

The solvent is introduced into the case 104 from the liquid supply path 103, passes through the filter element 110, passes through a large number of small holes 111 around the discharge pipe 107, and enters the washing tub through the outlet 112 at one end. Head to 102.

[0005] As dirt in the solvent adheres to the filter element 110 over time, pressure is periodically applied to the filter element 110 from the opposite direction by the supply device 105.
The dirt adhering to the filter element 110 is peeled off.

[0006]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As in the conventional example, after removing dirt from a filter element using a supply device, the solvent in the tank is passed through the filter device to sufficiently soak the solvent in the filter element. As a result, it is necessary to attach the soap components in the solvent to the filter element and regenerate its function as a filter, but in the conventional case, the user has to manually check the timing and do this. , it was a hassle.

[0007]Furthermore, there is dirt that has been peeled off inside the filter device, and even if the solvent is supplied into the filter device again in this state, there is a high possibility that the dirt will re-deposit.

The present invention relates to a dry cleaner filter cleaning method and is intended to solve these problems.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A dry cleaner filter purification method according to the present invention includes: a solvent storage tank, a cleaning tank, a liquid supply path connecting the cleaning tank and the tank;
pump means for circulating the solvent in the liquid supply path;
A filter device provided in the liquid supply path, a pressurizing means for introducing pressurized air into the filter device from a direction opposite to a direction in which the solvent flows, and an auxiliary tank connected to the filter device. , an opening/closing means for opening and closing between the auxiliary tank and the filter device, a suction side connected above the bottom of the auxiliary tank, and a discharge side connected upstream of the filter device in the liquid supply path. A connecting pipe, a switching means for switching the connection destination of the filter device to the tank or an auxiliary tank, and a control means for controlling the operation of each of the means, and under the control of the control means, the filter a first operation of operating the opening/closing means in an open state so as to discharge the solvent in the apparatus into the auxiliary tank; a second operation of operating the pressurizing means in addition to this first operation; a third operation of operating the pump means and switching means to deliver the solvent in the auxiliary tank to the filter device; and activating the pump means and switching means to deliver the solvent in the tank to the filter device. The fourth operation is automatically performed in sequence.

0010

[Operation] That is, first, by the first operation, the solvent remaining in the filter device is temporarily stored in the auxiliary tank.

In the second operation, the pressurized air dislodges the dirt from the filter, drains it into the auxiliary tank, and settles it at the bottom of the auxiliary tank.

In a third operation, the solvent in the auxiliary tank is again fed into the filter device. At this time, since the suction side is connected above the bottom of the auxiliary tank, dirt that has settled on the bottom is not sucked in.

In the fourth operation, the solvent in the tank passes through the filter device and the soap components in the solvent adhere to the filter.

[0014]

Embodiments Examples of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a solvent tank, in which a solvent (petroleum-based: industrial gasoline 5) containing a cleaning agent such as soap is used.
1.1.1 Trichloroethane, perchlorethylene, etc.) are stored. A new liquid tank 2 contains a clean solvent containing no detergent for use as a rinsing liquid. The solvent tank 1 and the new liquid tank 2 contain a total of 500 liters of solvent (up to 600 liters can be accommodated).

Reference numeral 3 denotes a cleaning tank disposed above the tanks 1 and 2, in which a cleaning drum (not shown) is rotatably supported. 4 is a liquid supply path connecting the tanks 1 and 2 and the cleaning tank 3, and includes a valve 5 or 6, a solvent pump 7, a valve 8, a first filter 9, a valve 10, a soap concentration detector 11, It reaches the cleaning tank 3 via a turbidity detector 12, a solvent heater 13, and a valve 14. Moreover, the solvent in this liquid supply path 4 can be returned to the solvent tank 1 or the new liquid tank 2 without being sent to the cleaning tank 3 by means of a valve 15 or 16.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a bypass path A in the liquid supply path 4 for bypassing the first filter 9;
A valve 18, a second filter 19, and a valve 20 are inserted.

The first filter 9 and the second filter 19
is the same as the structure of the conventional filter device 104, but
The second filter 19 has a stronger decolorizing effect than the first filter 9, and is mainly used when cleaning colored objects.

Reference numeral 21 designates a bypass path B in the liquid supply path 4 for bypassing both the first and second filters 9 and 19, and is opened and closed by a valve 22.

23 indicates the bottom of the cleaning tank 3 and the tanks 1 and 2.
It is a drainage path that connects the button trap 24 and the valve 2.
5. Branches into two directions through a circulation pump 26, one side joins the outlet of the solvent pump 7 in the liquid supply path 4, and the other side connects to the liquid supply path 4 through a valve 27, a drain tank 28, and a valve 29. It joins the inlet of the solvent pump 7 inside. That is, when the valve 27 is closed, the circulation pump 26 is driven to circulate the solvent through the liquid supply path 4 - cleaning tank 3 - drainage path 23 . Furthermore, when the valve 27 is open (the valves 8, 18, and 22 are closed), the circulation pump 26 is driven so that the drain liquid from the cleaning tank 3 can be stored in the drain tank 28. . Furthermore, the solvent in the drain tank 28 can be introduced into the liquid supply path 4 via the valve 29 by driving the solvent pump 7 .

A relatively coarse strainer (not shown) is disposed within the button trap 24, and is used to remove large foreign objects such as buttons.

A drying air passage 30 is used to circulate hot air into the cleaning tank 3 during the drying process and to condense and recover the evaporated solvent. That is, in the drying air path 30, a lint filter 31 and a blower device 32 are installed from the windward side.
, a cooler 33, and a heater 34 are provided. The cooler 33 is constructed by passing cold water through a cooling pipe 35, and although not shown, a part of the cooler 33 is also disposed inside the tanks 1 and 2 to cool the solvent at the same time. The heater 3
4 is constructed by passing steam through the inside of the heating tube 36. Further, the cooler 3 in the cooling pipe 35
The opening and closing of the inlet of No. 3 is controlled by a valve 37, and the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet of the heater 34 in the heating pipe 36 are controlled by valves 38 and 39, respectively.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an air intake duct for introducing outside air into the drying air passage 30, which is opened and closed by a valve 41. Reference numeral 42 denotes an exhaust duct for discharging the gas in the drying air passage 30 to the outside of the machine, and the exhaust duct is opened and closed by a valve 43. 44,
Reference numeral 45 denotes a negative characteristic thermistor A and a thermistor B disposed at the outlet and inlet of the drying air passage 30, respectively.

A water separator 46 communicates with the lower part of the cooler 33, which collects the solvent condensed in the cooler 33, further condenses it, separates it into water and solvent by specific gravity, and removes only the solvent from the This is for returning to the new liquid tank 2. Note that a portion of the cooling pipe 35 is disposed within the water separator 46.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the drain tank 28. That is, the drain tank 28 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an inclined surface 49 rising from the center of the bottom portion 47 toward one side wall 48 . Furthermore, an outlet 50 is formed in this side wall 48 so as to be continuous with this inclined surface 49 . Further, this outlet 50 is manually opened and closed by a lid 51. Reference numeral 52 denotes an inlet into which the waste liquid from the circulation pump 26 is introduced, and 53 an outlet pipe communicating with the solvent pump 7, the outlet 54 of which is located at approximately the same height as the outlet 50. 55 is a float switch provided in this drain tank 28;
The upper and lower limits of the liquid level inside are detected by a pair of float type magnets 56, 57, respectively, and reed switches 58, 59 which are turned on when the magnets 56, 57 approach. That is,
When the liquid level in the tank 28 reaches the upper limit, the magnet 58 separates from the reed switch 56 and turns it off. When the liquid level in the tank 28 reaches the lower limit (same level as the outlet 54), the magnet 58 moves away from the reed switch 56 and turns it off. 57 is separated from the reed switch 59 to turn it off. These reed switches 56
, 57 are input to a microcomputer described later. A stopper 60 prevents the magnet 59 from coming close to the reed switch 56.

[0026] Furthermore, the drain tank 28 is connected to the first drain tank 28.
and is connected to the second filters 9 and 19 via a communication pipe 61. 62 is a valve that opens and closes this communication pipe 61.

The drain tank 28 has a capacity (150 liters) sufficient to accommodate the drained liquid from the cleaning tank 3.

A pressurized air supply device 63 is connected to the outlet sides of the first filter 9 and the second filter 19 via valves 64, and is constituted by an air compressor. FIG. 4 shows a microcomputer 65 (hereinafter referred to as
This shows the control mechanism of a dry cleaner centered on a microcomputer.

Here, since the configuration of the microcomputer 65 is well known, it will be briefly explained based on FIG. 5.

The microcomputer 65 has a CPU 66 (cen
tral processing unit), RAM
67 (random access memory
), ROM68 (read only memory
y), timer 69, system bus 70 and input/output port
It consists of ports 71 and 72.

The CPU 66 includes a control section 73 and a calculation section 7.
4, the control section 73 retrieves and executes instructions, and the arithmetic section 74 extracts and executes instructions, and the arithmetic section 74 extracts and executes data given from an input device or memory by a control signal from the control section 73 in the instruction execution stage. Performs arithmetic processing such as binary addition, logical operations, increase/decrease, and comparison. The RAM 67 is for storing data related to the equipment, and the ROM 68 is loaded in advance with means for operating the equipment, setting of conditions for judgment, rules for processing various information, etc. It is something to keep.

Now, in FIG. 4, the microcomputer 65 includes an input key circuit 75 consisting of a group of various operation keys, a temperature setting device 76, various state detection devices 77 such as a liquid level sensor and the float switch 55, First temperature detection device 78
, based on input information from the second temperature sensing device 79, etc.
It controls the operations of loads 80 such as the various on-off valves, motors, blower devices, display device 81, buzzer circuit 82, etc.

The first temperature detection device 78 detects a voltage value determined by the resistance values of the resistor 83 and the thermistor A44.
The signal is inputted to the microcomputer 65 through the A/D conversion circuit 84. The microcomputer 65 compares the signal from the first temperature detection device 78 with a plurality of reference values stored in the ROM 68, and determines the temperature of the drying air (washing tank 3) before exchanging heat with the clothes.
The inlet temperature) is determined in detail.

The second temperature detecting device 79 has a similar structure, and the thermistor B45 precisely determines the temperature of the drying air (the exit temperature from the washing tank 3) after heat exchange with the clothes.

The temperature setting device 76 is for setting the temperature of the inlet and outlet of the drying air during the drying process, respectively.
The temperature can be set in the range of 0 to 99°C using the numeric keys 0 to 9. Each temperature set by the temperature setting device 76 is stored in the RAM 67 of the microcomputer 65.

FIG. 6 shows the operation section, and 85 is an operating time display, which is displayed by a group of 7 segment light emitting diodes.
A total of four digits, two digits each with a colon 86 in between, can be displayed. 87 and 88 are UP and DOWN keys that increase or decrease the numbers displayed on the display 85, and 89 is a series of four operations, which will be described later: filter drain operation, backwash operation, filter filling operation, and tank circulation operation. A selection key 90 is used to select the backwash process and any process within this process, and 90 is a display unit that displays the settings and progress status of the backwash process, including filter drain operation, filter filling operation, and tank circulation. It has LEDs 91, 92, and 93 corresponding to the operations, respectively. Reference numeral 94 is a start/stop key for this backwash process.

[0037]

[Table 1]

[0038] In Table 1, the selection key 89
When is operated once, the backwash process is selected, and at the same time, the LED 91 for the filter drain operation blinks, and the other two LEDs 92 and 93 light up. this is,
It is shown that all of the above operations are performed and the time of the filter-drain operation is variable. The indicator 85
"6:00" is displayed, which means that the filter
Indicates that the drain operation will be performed for 6 minutes. The user is
The time can be adjusted from 0 seconds to 99 minutes and 99 seconds using the UP key 87 and DOWN key 88.

When the selection key 89 is operated twice, only the filter-drain operation is selected, and at the same time the LED 9
Only 1 blinks, and "60" is displayed on the display 85. This indicates that the filter drain operation will be performed for 60 minutes. The user can modify the time from 0 minutes to 9,999 minutes using the UP key 87 and DOWN key 88.

As described above, in the display 85, the unit of time is changed depending on whether the colon 86 is lit or turned off. In other words, when "6:00" is displayed as in the former case, it indicates that it is in seconds, and as in the latter case, "6:00" is displayed.
" is displayed to indicate that this is in minutes.

[0041] Furthermore, when the filter drain operation is performed as one operation in the backwash process,
It may take less than 10 minutes, but if performed alone it usually takes 100 minutes, so the units are automatically set differently when the backwash process is selected and when only the filter drain operation is selected.

When the selection key 89 is operated three times, only the filter filling operation is selected, and at the same time only the LED 92 blinks and "1:30" is displayed on the display 85. This indicates that the filter-fill operation is performed for 1 minute and 30 seconds. The user presses the UP key 87, DOW
The time can be corrected using the N key 88.

When the selection key 89 is operated four times, only the tank circulation operation is selected, at the same time only the LED 93 blinks, and the display 85 displays "3:00". This indicates that the filter-fill operation will run for 3 minutes. The user presses the UP key 87 and DOWN key 8.
8 allows the time to be corrected.

When the selection key 89 is operated five times, the backwash process is selected again, and thereafter, the setting state changes cyclically every time the selection key is operated.

With this configuration, the dry cleaner of this embodiment sequentially executes a cleaning program consisting of washing (washing, rinsing), dewatering, and drying under the control of the microcomputer 63.

While repeating this program, the first
Dirt adheres to the filter 9 and the second filter 19. If the dirt is heavy, it is necessary to replace the filter element 110, but if the dirt is light, the filter element 110 can be regenerated by performing the backwash process shown in FIG.

The operation when regenerating the first filter 9 will be explained below based on FIG. 1.

When the backwash process is selected by the selection key 89 and the start key 94 is operated, the following four operations are automatically executed. (Filter drain operation) “6:00” is displayed on the display 85 and 6 minutes is set on the counter (S1)
. The valve 8 and the valve 27 are opened (S2), whereby the solvent in the first filter 9 moves into the drain tank 28. (Backwash operation) After 6 minutes have passed, the display 85 will display “
0” remains blinking (S3), and the counter displays 12.
minute is set (S4), the valve 10 and the valve 64 are opened (S5), and the supply device 63 is driven (S4).
6). As a result, pressurized air is supplied to the filter element 110 from a direction opposite to the direction in which the solvent flows, and dirt adhering to the filter element 110 is peeled off and stored in the drain tank 28. Dirt contained in the drain tank 28 settles to the bottom. (Filter filling operation) After 12 minutes, the display 85 shows “1”.
:30'' is displayed and 1 minute 30 seconds is set on the counter (S7). The valve 29 is opened (S8),
The valve 27 and the valve 64 are closed (S9), and the solvent pump 7 is further driven (S10). As a result, the solvent contained in the drain tank 28 is returned to the first drain tank 28.
It is returned into the filter 9. At this time, since the outlet 54 is located above the bottom of the drain tank 28, dirt that has settled on the bottom will not be sucked in. (Tank circulation operation) After 1 minute and 30 seconds, the display 85 will show “
5:00'' is displayed and 5 minutes and seconds are set on the counter (S11). The valve 29 is closed (S12)
, valve 5 and valve 15 are opened (S13). As a result, the solvent in the tank 1 circulates through the liquid supply path 4 while passing through the first filter 9, and soap components contained in the solvent are uniformly adsorbed onto the filter element 110.

[0049] After 5 minutes have elapsed, all operations are completed.

[0050] In the backwash operation,
Steam may be supplied instead of pressurized air, and the activated carbon 109 can be regenerated better with steam.

[0051]

Effects of the Invention The dry cleaner filter purification method of the present invention has an excellent filter regeneration effect and is easy to operate.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the filter cleaning operation of the dry cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a piping system diagram of the same dry cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the internal mechanism of the drain tank.

FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram of the same control mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microcomputer.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the operating section.

FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Solvent tank 3 Cleaning tank 4 Liquid supply path 5 Valve (switching means) 7 Solvent pump (pumping means) 8 Valve (opening/closing means) 9 First filter (filter device) 10 Valve (pressurizing means) 27 Valve (opening/closing means) 28 Drain tank (auxiliary tank) 29 Valve (switching means) 53 Inlet pipe (connecting pipe) 63 Pressurized air supply device (pressurizing means) 64 Valve (pressurizing means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A solvent storage tank, a cleaning tank, a liquid supply path connecting the cleaning tank and the tank, a pump means for pumping the solvent into the liquid supply path, and a solvent in the circulation path. a filter device provided, a pressurizing means for introducing pressurized air into the filter device from a direction opposite to the direction of solvent flow, an auxiliary tank connected to the filter device, and the auxiliary tank and the filter. an opening/closing means for opening and closing between the apparatus, a connecting pipe whose suction side is connected above the bottom of the auxiliary tank and whose discharge side is connected upstream of the filter apparatus in the liquid supply path, and the filter. It is equipped with a switching means for switching the connection destination to the device to the tank or the auxiliary tank, and a control means for controlling the operation of each of the means, and under the control of the control means, the solvent in the filter device is a first action of operating the opening/closing means in an open state so as to discharge the solvent into the auxiliary tank; a second action of operating the pressurizing means in addition to this first action; a third action of activating said pump means and switching means to deliver the solvent in said tank to said filter arrangement; a fourth action of activating said pump means and switching means to deliver solvent in said tank to said filter arrangement;
A dry cleaner filter purification method characterized in that the following steps are automatically performed in sequence.